Read:
Helaman 3:8 or Mormon 1:6-7

Explain:
Throughout history, societies have faced the challenge of securing adequate resources for a growing population. That challenge is especially acute today, with the world population at 6 billion and rising. Growing populations place unprecedented pressures on the environment. In some parts of the world, there is no longer enough water to meet human demands, and the amount of land available for agriculture is decreasing. Nearly one-and-a-half billion people live in absolute poverty, while the richest 20% of the world population consume over 80% of the resources. World Population Day focuses on the urgent need to find solutions--to ensure that all people have the resources they need and that parents are able to adequately provide for their children.

Pray:

• Give thanks for the gifts of life and family.
• Give thanks for the natural resources Heavenly Father has prepared for His children.
• Pray for wiser management and equitable distribution of the earth's resources.
• Pray that men and women will be responsible and prudent in using their sacred powers of procreation.